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Bloodfin tetra (Aphyocharax alburnus) — Characidae

Bloodfin tetra

Aphyocharax alburnus
Family: Characidae

The Bloodfin tetra (Aphyocharax alburnus) is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America; rivers and streams.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The tetra is a small characin (Characidae) from South America. The species is small and has a slender, silvery body that is slightly translucent, often with a red tinge in the fins. It lives in schools in rivers and streams. As an omnivore it feeds on small zooplankton, insects and larvae and plant matter. It is a prey fish for larger fishes. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bloodfin tetra?

The Bloodfin tetra has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Slender, slightly translucent silvery body with a red tinge in the fins; schooling.

Where does the Bloodfin tetra live?

The Bloodfin tetra lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. South America; rivers and streams.

How big does the Bloodfin tetra get?

The Bloodfin tetra grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Bloodfin tetra dangerous to humans?

No, the Bloodfin tetra is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Bloodfin tetra edible?

The Bloodfin tetra is not usually eaten.

More photos

Bloodfin tetra (Aphyocharax alburnus) — Characidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Zakqary Roy, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Bloodfin tetra (Aphyocharax alburnus) — Characidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Alec Hopping, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bloodfin tetra (Aphyocharax alburnus) — Characidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Albert Günther (Public domain)

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All data

Identification

English name
Bloodfin tetra verified
Scientific name
Aphyocharax alburnus
Family
Characidae
Other names
Goldencrown tetra; Goldencrowned aphyocarax verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey
Pattern
Plain
Tail shape
Forked
Mouth position
Terminal
Lips
Thin
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
South America; rivers and streams.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small zooplankton, insects (larvae) and plant material sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups
Territorial
No
Activity
Diurnal
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Slender, slightly translucent silvery body with a red tinge in the fins; schooling. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Aphyocharax

More from the family Characidae

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